Turkeys - Fresh or Heritage

[rudeboy]

I see that Natural Grocer has several types of turkey, frozen:

Free Range: $1.79/lb

Organic: $2.99/lb

Heritage: $5.49/lb

Can we list other findings below so we can all make informed choices? What about fresh turkeys?

[brentwood]

Wheatsville has frozen Organic Prairie turkeys for $2.99/lb. They are accepting pre-orders but say they are not necessary.

[tummoi]

Has anyone tasted heritage vs usual turkey? I understand the heritage take a lot longer to reach maturity and are thus more expensive, but is it justified to spend over $85 on the bird?

Also, fresh vs frozen, since even "fresh" are shipped lightly frozen (26 - 28 degrees), is there a difference?

[rudeboy]

I haven't, tummoi - however, there's lot's of discussion on the Home Cooking board. Do a search on "Heritage."

[rusty_s]

Greenling.com has local organic turkeys, I believe everything they have is frozen.
Local, free range: $5.99/lb
Regular organic: $4.56/lb

Their newsletter says to order soon if you want the local birds, obviously the supply is limited.

[reinadetostones]

Rudeboy,

Sprouts is pushing a fresh, not frozen, free range turkey that has my name on it.

http://sprouts.com/turkey/turkey.php

For the last three years I have tried to get a fresh heritage turkey but it was too difficult or too expensive. I'm thinking the combo of fresh and free range might up the turkey enough to taste a significantly yummy difference.

[rudeboy]

Wow - $1.47 per lb of fresh, free range is a much better deal. Thank you for the info.....

[anjgupta]

Hi,

Sprouts is selling them now - which doesn't seem very safe. How far ahead to you think a fresh turkey can (should) be purchased? I plan to try a dry brine.